Love in Bloom: Chelsea & Chris’s Rustic Garden Wedding
Kate & Brian’s Big Day at One of the Dreamiest Wedding Venues in Gloucestershire
Searching for some wedding inspiration for a celebration at Gloucestershire? You’ve reached the right place!
A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of photographing one of the most beautiful weddings I had ever been to! What made it so beautiful, I hear you ask? Decor aside, it was because of how truly in love Kate and Brian were! 14 years of being together, and they were finally getting married! This wedding was a special one for me as I feel like over the months leading up to the wedding, Kate had become more of a friend to me, and I’ll admit it I was even emotional at the ceremony! Anyway, enough about me, I’m going to hand you over to Kate so she can tell you more about her special day…
Stay tuned to the end to get our top favorite wedding venues in Gloucestershire!
“Me & Bri got married at Michael’s and All Angels church in Mitcheldean. We chose this church because Brian’s family has all been married there. It’s beautiful too!”
“I had my hair done by Donna Morgan who I would really recommend! Nothing was too much trouble for her! My make up was by Joni Bell, she used mineral makeup and was such A lovely person! She made me feel special and the makeup was exactly what I wanted. I also went to Cheltenham lashes and had eyelash extensions…well worth the money, I didn’t have to wear mascara for ages after!! Always woke up looking fresh just cause of the lashes…it was amazing!”
“We chose a leaves, lace and light theme because I wanted to get married in the woods but it just wasn’t possible. To create a more personal touch to the wedding we made our own bunting (well mum did mainly!) using old lace curtains, we got material to use as drapes around the hall (from Ebay) I also covered empty jars with lace…some was even real vintage from my great Nan! My mum also used her nan’s pearls on the cake and we used my Nan’s cake knife to cut it! We even put coordinating ribbon on the boys and Bri’s hats and Bri’s sister Kate made little paper birds to place along the aisle of the church!”
“My dress was from the NEC wedding show. Phil Colllins… it was £1500, reduced to £350! My Shoes were irregular choice from ebay, necklace and earrings are my nans and the beautiful headdress was made by my aunty Judy inspired by lord of the rings! We hired the grooms outfit from Peter Posh suit in Gloucester and his shoes were by Gucinari from ebay! Oh and the hat was from Tesco!”
“Our photographer was Jessica Turley!! Yay!! She took the photos that I would have taken if I could have photographed my own wedding!! We also had brilliant up and coming videographer James Camp to shoot our wedding video!”
“Our best man paid for Drybrook Ladies choir to sing during the service and during the signing of the register, which was really special!”
“The rings were from a place called Little Gems in penzance, Cornwall, we went back there on our honey moon and they toasted us and we all had a glass of wine. It was lovely!”
“The reception was held at Westbury Village Hall. Now I know Westbury village hall is not really foresty etc! I will explain a bit here….When me & Bri had been together a little while and had discussed getting married I always half joked about getting married in the forest (it reminds me of a church or cathedral anyway). Anyway, we now have 2 boys, the youngest one was born in the front seat of our car in Westbury (his middle name is Westbury!) We have a few older people with various disabilities in the family so I realised the practicality of getting married in the woods was not ideal. We chose Westbruy hall as it was big enough for all our guests, we could have it cheap if they took so much money on the bar and there was a biiiig field and a little park for the kids to play on! Also Me and Bri are members of the national trust (god I sound old!) and Westbury Court gardens is next door! SO, as a compromise to not getting married in the woods, I decided to decorate the venue using the forest as inspiration.”
“The cake was beautiful and was by Dot Flello, designed with my dress in mind. It had edible lace called sugar veil and we even had added cupcakes! Mum made the middle tier wheat egg and dairy free for me! yum yum delicious… The flowers were by Brian’s talented sister Wendy Howes.”
“We also personalised the bridesmaids’ dresses, the older girls dresses were originally from Warehouse (got Shoes from Debenhams). They had pashmina-type wraps from eBay and Mum sewed on little pearl collars from Primark! As for the little girl’s dresses and shoes, they were from Primark. Mum made belts from layers of pretty ribbons and I ironed on some diamantes. They had little bolero cardigans from H&M too, we replaced those buttons with pretty ones.”
“My advice to future couples getting married would be that on the day don’t be afraid to delegate. Have fun! If it rains, so what?! I really did enjoy every minute!”
Thank you so much to Kate & Brian for having me as a part of their special day! I will always remember it!
Credit where credit is due:
♥ Wedding Dress: Phill Collins / ♥ Grooms Suit: Peter Posh / ♥ Church: Micheals and All angels church/ ♥ Reception: Westbury-on-Severn Parish Hall / ♥ Hair: Donna Morgan / ♥ Makeup: Joni Bell / ♥ Cake: Dot Flello / ♥ Photography: Jessica Turley / ♥ Videography: James Camp / ♥ Rings: Little Gems / ♥ Older bridesmaids dresses: Warehouse / ♥ Younger bridesmaids dresses: Primark /♥ Groom’s hat: Tesco
Planning Your BIG Day? Here are our Top favorite Wedding Venues in Gloucestershire
Let me just say this: Gloucestershire has no business being this beautiful. Every time I visit, it feels like someone tore a page out of a storybook and said, “Here, go have your wedding in this fairytale.” After more than a decade of blogging for Bespoke Bride, I’ve seen a lot of venues—some charming, some meh, and some that make you want to throw confetti just walking through the door. And Gloucestershire? It’s bursting with the latter.
What to Know Before Choosing Wedding Venues in Gloucestershire
The biggest surprise? The variety. Whether you’re a barn-obsessed boho bride, a manor-house maven, or just someone who dreams of alpacas crashing your cocktail hour (it’s a thing, I swear), Gloucestershire delivers. But, as with all dream locations, there’s a catch or two.
Peak summer Saturdays? Booked out faster than you can say “save the date.” Also, budget-wise, you can easily get carried away when the view makes your knees weak. Trust me, I once cried over the exposed beams at a Cotswold barn—then cried harder when I saw the hire fee.
Is a Rustic Barn Venue Right for You?
Cripps Barn, near Bibury, is hands-down one of the most atmospheric wedding venues in Gloucestershire. Picture this: roaring open fireplace, flagstone floors, and fields that glow golden at sunset. It’s where two of our friends got married last autumn, and I’m still thinking about their mini wood-fired pizzas during cocktail hour. (Priorities, right?)
What works: It’s rustic without feeling ramshackle, charming without the chintz. You don’t need to over-style it—let the barn do the heavy lifting. What doesn’t: Parking can be a puzzle for guests staying far out, and if your heart is set on a summer date, prepare to book over a year in advance.
More info: https://crippsandco.com/cripps-barn
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
What’s It Like to Get Married in a Castle?
Berkeley Castle is the kind of place that makes you want to channel your inner Bridgerton. With its turrets, lush gardens, and tapestries that probably pre-date your great-great-grandparents, it’s grand in the best way. One of our readers (hi, Lauren!) shared photos from her wedding here last May, and let me tell you—those stone staircases were made for dramatic dress reveals.
Symbolism-wise? Castles speak to permanence. You’re not just throwing a party; you’re writing a chapter of history. But fair warning: castles come with rules. You won’t be taping anything to those ancient walls, and there’s a curfew stricter than my mum’s when I was 17.
More info: https://www.berkeley-castle.com/weddings
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
Can You Really Do a DIY Wedding at a Village Hall?
Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall caught me off guard. I’ll be honest, I used to think village halls were more bingo night than bridal bliss. But this one? It’s got charm for days and a blank canvas vibe that begs for fairy lights and foliage. Our intern Lily helped her sister plan a wedding here last year, and I got to see it all unfold—from the mad rush of setting up 80 mismatched chairs to the polaroid guest wall that had everyone teary-eyed by dessert.
Pros: Budget-friendly, super customizable, and often nestled in quaint areas. Cons: You’re the boss, which means you are the wedding coordinator unless you bring one in.
Check out: https://www.westburyvillagehall.org.uk
What to Expect from an Eco-Conscious Countryside Retreat?
Elmore Court mixes sustainability with serious wow-factor. They’ve got a rewilding project happening on site, which makes your wedding part of something much bigger. My husband and I attended a September wedding here, and it was all wildflowers, solar power, and late-night dancing in their soundproof ‘Gillyflower’ building (yes, that’s a real word, and yes, it’s fabulous).
It’s great for couples who want beauty with a conscience. Downsides? The price point reflects the ethos. But if reducing your footprint matters, this place nails it.
See more: https://www.elmorecourt.com
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
Quick Tips Before You Choose a Wedding Venue in Gloucestershire:
- Visit off-season if you’re flexible. Spring and autumn often have better availability—and lighting.
- Ask about exclusivity. Some venues host more than one event at a time.
- Check noise curfews and live music restrictions.
- Bring your own planner if you’re booking a blank-slate space.
People Also Ask:
What’s the average cost of wedding venues in Gloucestershire? It ranges wildly—from under £2,000 for a village hall to £15,000+ for a full-service manor. Factor in catering, too.
Are there outdoor wedding venues in Gloucestershire? Yes! Several offer garden ceremonies and tipi options.
Is Gloucestershire good for destination weddings? Absolutely. It’s accessible from London, Bristol, and Birmingham, and has that perfect blend of countryside peace and modern amenities.
Bottom line? Whether you’re after rustic romance or stately elegance, wedding venues in Gloucestershire give you room to dream—and dance your face off.
The bride looks absolutely stunning in all of her pictures! Congrats! It looks like it was a beautiful wedding!
Thank you, the couple really were so so in love, such a special day!